In the Mix Honoring Steve Sage

Spring season is upon us,
folks. It is a time of rebirth and revival, full of new possibilities. What
better way to welcome in spring than with songs that capture this feeling of new
beginnings.

Music is the one thing
that can always draw me back to childhood days or capture the mood I am in at
any given moment. Not to sound too preachy, but there is something spiritual
about the power of songs. My friend Mark Stanley wrote a beautiful song years
ago called, “When Spring is Here.”It’s about walking home from school on a nice spring
afternoon and falling in love. Every time I hear this song, I am drawn back to
middle school days in Lafayette, remembering the innocence of young love. Other
songs that put me in a great mood are “Groovin’” by The Rascals, “What is Hip”by
Tower of Power, and just about any Beatles song. They will always lift me up
and make the day just a little bit better. Whatever the song, music can transport
us to a moment in time. The relationship between music and memory is powerful.

It made me think of other
songs that capture a feeling or are just fun springtime songs. (I feel a list
coming on.)

1) “Here Comes the Sun,” The Beatles. After a winter
filled with cold and rainy weather, this song is all about a brighter day.

2) “Centerfield,” John Fogerty. Nothing brings baseball
back more than putting on this song. “Put me in Coach; I’m ready to play!”

3) “Spring Breakdown,” Luke Bryan. Reminiscing about the
good times of spring break.

5) “I Can See Clearly Now,” Johnny Nash. One of the most
uplifting songs of all time.

6) “Waking Light,” Beck. A beautiful song about new
beginnings. “When the morning comes to meet you/Open your eyes with waking
light.”

7) “A Father’s First Spring,” The Avett Brothers. Amazing
song of how the birth of a baby changes your life. “I never lived 'til I lived
in your light/ And my heart never beat like it does at the sight/ Of you baby
blue.”

8) “Their Hearts Were Full of Spring,” The Beach Boys. Harmonies,
Harmonies, Harmonies!

A playlist of these songs
would be the perfect soundtrack to start your day. Let me know what you think.

Spring also means it’s the
start of another great music scene in our area. So many cities now have beer
and wine festivals, music in the park, outdoor music on restaurant patios;
there’s music everywhere. So get out there and support all the local musicians and
events.

As I was finishing up this
article, I heard the news of the passing of Chuck Berry. If it weren’t for
Chuck, there would be no rock and roll. Period. The Beatles and the Rolling
Stones were influenced by his music. I think every guitar player’s first songs were
Chuck Berry’s: “Johnny B. Goode,” “Back in the USA,” “Roll over Beethoven,” “School
Days,” “Maybellene,” and so many others. He was one of the first musicians
inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I think Bruce Springsteen put it
best in his tweet: “Chuck Berry was rock's greatest practitioner, guitarist,
and the greatest pure rock 'n' roll writer who ever lived. This is a tremendous
loss of a giant for the ages.” Hail Hail, Rock and Roll!